7 thoughts on “Fender Blackface Pro Reverb”

I just acquired a 1965 Pro Reverb in mint condition. There is no amp like it. Full sound with two 12 inch speakers. Greatest reverb I’ve ever heard. Why don’t they make amps like this anymore? I’ll have this amp ’til the day I die. It’s so great, I’ll will it to my nephews.

It is tempting to think the Bassman and the Pro Reverb are “the same circuit” because they carry the same aa1165 number. They are not. The AA1165 Pro circuit is significantly different from the AA1165 Bassman in several key areas. These differences are essential design changes that have a substantial and obviously audible effect on overall circuit performance. Some key differences are:

1.) rectifier/B+ supply. The aa1165 Pro is a GZ34 tube rectifier, while the aa1165 Bassman B+ is solid state. This means (among other things) a different mains transformer!
2.) The output transformer is substantially larger and is wound to a different ratio in a Bassman. Huge tonal difference here too
3.) The tone circuit voicing for the normal channel Pro and bass channel Bassman are vastly different.
4.) The stock vibrato circuit in a Pro substantially affects total circuit gain, compared to the normal channel of the Bassman.

I agree with you, these are both great amps. However, based on these and other differences it is simply not accurate to say that he Pro is “…essentially a Bassman in a combo with reverb…” Unless you are also willing to say the same thing about any Fender with two 6L6 power tubes, 12AX7 preamp tubes, and fixed bias.

I’m pretty sure Utah speakers were also used in Pro Reverbs in ’65…Pro Reverbs to me always had a ton of low end and is also a very loud amp. This was my initial impression. When I learned later that Pro Reverbs have the AA165 circuit (not the AB763) then it all made sense. The AA165 circuit is the circuit used in Bassman heads — which are also real loud and FULL of low end. The Pro Reverb is essentially a Bassman in a combo with reverb.

Not as sweet sounding as the AB763 reverb combos, in my opinion, but a solid choice for loud Rock and Roll, just like a Bassman. Takes pedals great.